Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has paid tribute to Johan Cruyff - labelling the former Netherlands, Ajax and Barcelona great at "the ideological father of football".
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester United's Juan Mata hails Johan Cruyff legacy
Johan Cruyff's legacy will continue to live on in football according to Spain and Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata.
___4843833___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___4843833___2016___3___28___17___cruyff-cropped_c1ou4k8coewy1y1j0xj8g6r9w_2
Recommended articles
Cruyff died on Thursday, aged 68, following a battle with lung cancer.
Numerous warm tributes were paid to the man who also coached Barcelona's famous "Dream Team" from 1988 to 1996, and Mata took the opportunity to reflect on Cruyff's vast footballing legacy in his weekly blog for Kicca.
"I consider him the ideological father of the football; the one I try to play like and the one I look to learn from as a spectator whenever I watch a game," the Spain international wrote.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The intelligent use of the ball and the spaces, the importance of talent over the physical condition and the understanding of football as a team sport are concepts that I definitely endorse.
"Besides, I think that the idea of attacking and taking the initiative of the match [goes] very well with the philosophy and greatness of Manchester United, where his son Jordi played. I
"It's a great loss but we will always have his legacy. He was the game."
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
The Intersection of Enthusiasm: United Kingdom's local motorsports and Ghana's rising stars
Video: Watch Fatawu Issahaku’s hat trick in Leicester City’s win against Southampton
RTU suspends coach Abdulai Mumin over match-fixing allegations
Hearts of Oak are better off playing with an empty post than using Richard Attah – Taylor
Sorry for causing you a lot of pain – Dr. Prosper Ogum apologizes to Kotoko fans
Govt hasn't paid us – African Games gold medalist Winnifred Ntumi 'cries' out
Dumsor is part of the reasons why we lost against Legon Cities – Hearts of Oak coach
Black Stars midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh to miss rest of season due to injury
